An Academic's Perspective on SiC Power Devices: Retrospection and Prognostication

The role of an academic in the area of SiC power devices can be categorized as: (1) Fundamental Theoretical Predictions; (2) Fundamental Scientific Knowledge; (3) Fundamental Device Structures; (4) Device Structural Innovations; (5) Device Physics and Analysis; and (6) Technology Feasibility Studies. This paper provides examples of these activities during my past 40 years of effort in this field as a retrospective. New prospective device ideas that will have a strong impact on power electronics in the future are then discussed.